Dartmouth Receives Record Number of Applications for the Class of 2015

Dartmouth College’s Admissions Office has received more than 22,140 applications for acceptance into the fall Class of 2015. The number is a record for the College and represents a 17.9 percent increase from last year’s pool of 18,778 applications, says Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Maria Laskaris ’84.

Admissions staff are still processing the applications, but so far a few notable trends have emerged: the number of students from California is up 21 percent, making it the most-represented state in the applicant pool; applications from students of color are up 17 percent; and applications from students living outside the United States are up 14 percent.

“Increased awareness of the strength of the Dartmouth experience, our continued strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, an exceptional level of research, the breadth of our on- and off-campus opportunities, and the broad recognition of the quality of our educational experience are all factors in the increase of applications for the Class of 2015,” says Laskaris.

Dean of Admissions Maria Laskaris ’84 says the College’s fully need-blind admissions process and a guarantee to meet 100 percent of demonstrated need for all students admitted continue to appeal strongly to potential students. (photo by Joseph Mehling ‘69)

The College’s fully need-blind admissions process and a guarantee to meet 100 percent of demonstrated need for all students admitted continue to be strong selling points for potential students, she notes. Dartmouth continues to work with community-based organizations to broaden the College’s reach to bright and talented students from low-income families as well as those who would be first in their families to go to college.

“Special financial aid initiatives for students from families with incomes below $75,000, including free tuition and no loans, ensure that a Dartmouth education is truly accessible to all students, regardless of any family’s ability to pay,” Laskaris says.